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Fracture Behavior of Nanoscale Notched Silicon Beams Investigated by the Theory of Critical Distances
Author(s) -
Gallo Pasquale,
Yan Yabin,
Sumigawa Takashi,
Kitamura Takayuki
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced theory and simulations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.068
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2513-0390
DOI - 10.1002/adts.201700006
Subject(s) - fracture toughness , materials science , nanoscopic scale , silicon , composite material , fracture mechanics , fracture (geology) , cantilever , continuum mechanics , transmission electron microscopy , forensic engineering , mechanics , nanotechnology , metallurgy , physics , engineering
This paper investigates the nanoscale fracture behavior of silicon using the Theory of Critical Distances (TCD) and demonstrates that TCD can correctly estimate the magnitude of the breakdown of continuum fracture mechanics. Moreover, it proposes the TCD as an alternative strategy for the determination of fracture toughness, K IC , at the nanoscale. More specifically, in situ micromechanical testing of notched nano‐cantilever beams has been carried out in a transmission electron microscope. The material characteristic length and fracture toughness are then evaluated. The average K IC value obtained is 0.98 MPa m 0.5 , which is in agreement with that reported in the literature for macro‐Si. The characteristic length L is in the range of 1.3–1.9 nm. It is found that within an atomistic interpretation of the fracture of silicon, these values are in agreement with the breakdown of continuum fracture mechanics.